Paul Stookes
Consultant
Sources highlight Paul’s "encyclopaedic knowledge of environmental law" as a key area of strength.
Overview
Paul is a solicitor-advocate. He joined Richard Buxton Solicitors 17 years ago, having previously worked in regional law firm, Berry & Berry Solicitors and civil rights firm, BM Birnberg & Co. Paul has had conduct of a large number of leading cases on environmental nuisance and judicial review including, recently Abbotskerswell v Secretary of State [2021] and Jones v CELFPC (2021).
Paul publishes widely and regularly. Paul appears before a range of tribunals and courts. He also teaches at the Open University and works for the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) as its Law and Policy Advisor. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (FIEMA) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). He is an IEMA full member lead assessor and sits on its Professional Standards Committee.
Key Cases
Oil and Gas Authority Challenge
R (Thornton) v Oil & Gas Authority
Challenge to Oil and Gas Authority’s approval of fracking company sale.
Druridge Bay, Highthorn opencast coal mine
Proposed Opencast Coal Mine: Land at Highthorn Northumberland
Opposition to called-in application for opencast coal mine; Highthorn, Druridge Bay, Northumberland.
Magistrates' Court summons decision JR
R(Kent) v Teesside Magistrates’ Court
Successful challenge of Magistrates’ Court procedural decision in wildlife crime case also yields decision on scope of costs protection
Costs protection in private nuisance
Austin v United Kingdom
European Court of Human Rights on costs in nuisance claims.
Directory Quotes
Paul is regarded for his expertise in contentious environmental law matters, such as fracking and private nuisance claims.
Paul Stookes is an adept solicitor advocate... regarded for his expertise in contentious environmental law matters.
He is totally committed and enthusiastic. Paul is an expert in environmental impact assessment work.
Sources highlight Paul’s "encyclopaedic knowledge of environmental law" as a key area of strength.
He is a very good all-rounder who is both academic as well as being very good on a practical basis.
He is a very knowledgeable chap and if he has to fight a client's corner he is very willing and prepared to do it.
Qualifications
- Phd – Public involvement in environmental matters and the funding constraints in securing access to justice 2008
- MSc – Integrated Environmental Management 2003
- LLB (Hons) Law 1995
- Higher Rights of Audience (Civil Courts) 2008
- Solicitor admitted 1998
Memberships
- UKELA (UK Environmental Law Association)
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
Publications
- Biodiversity Litigation in the UK (chapter in international text) (due end 2022, OUP)
- Nuisance in Atkins Court Forms (LexisNexis, 2020) (Adrienne Copithorne, co-author).
- Brexit and the implications for environmental law (ELPR, India, 2018),
- Reversing the decline in nature (e-law, 2017);
- Nature & Law in The Habitats Directive (Hart Publishing Ltd, 2012);
- Planning & the Localism Act 2011: a guide to the new law (Law Society, 2012) (co-author with Pat Thomas OBE)
- A Practical Approach to Environmental Law 2/e (OUP, 2009)
- People Power (Daily Telegraph, 2008) (co-author with Jon Robins).
Personal interests
Flora, fauna and nature generally. Reading, music, art, peace and quiet.